Federal Exam 3

Page 1: The Constitutional Framework of Congress

The Intent of the Framers

  • The framers aimed to create a balanced government to prevent power concentration, drawing from experiences under British rule.

  • Congress was envisioned as the republic's cornerstone, prioritizing careful deliberation and representation.

  • Article I outlines Congress's powers, such as budget oversight, legislation, and war declaration, emphasizing its governance role.

The Articles of Confederation and Its Failures

  • The Articles created a weak national government, resulting in interstate trade disputes and economic instability.

  • Shays’ Rebellion highlighted these weaknesses, leading to calls for a stronger federal government and prompting the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which established a bicameral legislature.

The Great Compromise and Bicameralism

The Great Compromise

  • Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it resolved representation disputes between large and small states by establishing a bicameral legislature with a Senate (equal representation) and House of Representatives (population-based).

  • This balance ensured fair representation in legislation.

Goals and Functions of Bicameralism

  • Bicameralism encourages thorough legislation debate and decision-making, preventing hasty laws.

  • The House reacts quickly to public opinion, while the Senate offers stability with longer perspectives.

  • Requiring identical bills to pass in both chambers ensures comprehensive scrutiny before laws are enacted.

Structure and Representation in Congress

Senate Representation

  • Composed of 100 senators, each serving six-year terms, with two senators per state.

  • Originally appointed by state legislatures; direct popular election was established by the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, ensuring equal state representation.

House of Representatives Apportionment

  • Apportioned based on state populations, each state has at least one representative.

  • The equal proportions method based on Census data determines the number of representatives, reassessed every ten years.

  • In 1791, 65 representatives existed, each representing around 30,000 citizens.

Legislative Process and Challenges

The Legislative Process

  • Identical bills must pass both chambers, ensuring thorough examination.

  • The complex legislative process aims to curb impulsive legislation and maintain the status quo.

Challenges in Legislation

  • The bicameral system complicates legislation passage, necessitating consensus among diverse interests.

  • This structure prevents single factions from easily enacting laws benefiting them disproportionately, fostering a conservative governance approach aligned with framers' intentions.

Congressional Apportionment

Overview of Apportionment Methods

  • Achieved through the equal proportions method based on U.S. Census, legally mandated every ten years.

  • Congressional representation reflection changed from 65 representatives in 1791 to 435 following the 1910 census.

Historical Context of Congressional Representation

  • Congress capped at 435 seats in 1929 due to deadlock; redistricting occurs post-Census every ten years to ensure equal representation as populations shift.